Tentatively schedule for RCA orientation in 2 weeks but

lbpd16 · May 16, 2018

I applied for the RCA position and am scheduled for orientation in a couple weeks. This morning I noticed an announcement for a CCA position in the same office. I emailed my postmaster and told her i'm willing to do whatever job she needs filled most urgently. I'm not in any great need for hours/money. Mostly looking for health benefits and a part time job. However if it turned into full time that is fine with me too. Working long hours is not a problem for me. What is the forum's take on this situation? Stick with the RCA or take the CCA if she offers me that one?

Thanks,

Mike

Shafted · May 16, 2018

Take the cca position and don’t look back. I’m not joking. Dead serious.

Howah44 · May 16, 2018

Take the CCA position, you will probably get more hours, and most likely, get a full time position sooner.

btdtret · May 16, 2018

Ipbd16 -- Probably the make or break point is you don't have to supply your own vehicle as a CCA. City routes have LLV's or Left-Hand drive vans. In EXTREME cases manglement may request you use a POV for parcel deliveries, but those are rare. For an RCA - in most cases, it is an every day occurrence.

-- It will be no cake walk as CCA's are quitting faster than RCA's. But if you have a great work ethic, you'll probably will make regular much faster as a CCA rather than as an RCA.

-- Another make or break point: When you make regular, even if on pay Table TWO, at the high end of the steps, your pay will be the same as current city carriers on Table ONE.

-- Currently there is about a $6,000 difference on the top step between Table ONE and Table TWO for the rural regulars.

subpar · May 16, 2018

I was a RCA and I was talked into switching to the city side and taking an open Aux Route and I don't like it at all! I miss being a RCA. I'm right back to where I was when I first started of being told to hurry up and being watched and judged every day. We are so short staffed on both sides that I do my little route in the morning and then come back and split city routes that need covered for that day. I am working every day and at least 4 days a week I am working 10 hour days or more. The only thing that I like is I get to use a van and not an LLV, so I have heat and air conditioning. I don't like the carrier bags, it has forced me to start all over again with how I sort my mail and it's harder to sort parcels because now I have to group them for arears where I park. I want to go back to being a RCA so bad! I don't want to tell you which job to take but for me, RCA is a much better choice. Good luck though with whatever you do!

EthelAnne · May 16, 2018

Opinions will vary, but I'll give mine:

For quality of life issues, RCA is the better choice by far. I worked as an RCA for years while my kids were small and it was a very good fit for me--it paid well, and I was home in the afternoons.

However, if you're looking for a full time job with benefits, and don't mind long hours, CCA is the way to go. The most recent contract requires CCAs to convert to regular carriers within two years. RCAs generally are looking at 6+ years for a regular position.

Gotrope · May 17, 2018

If you can be timely in attendance, cca. If you are planning to be a bit irregular about starting fine, rca. I do believe that once the study is enacted there won't be much difference between work types. I think we will both be taking DPS to street and zoning parcels. Otherwise, why would the academy have started training every new CCA/RCA in this manner?

Shafted · May 17, 2018

You want to get paid for every minute you work for the rest of your career?, or do you want to be ripped off and work an evaluation that 75 percent of the time is nowhere what you will work. RCA position is now the evil red headed stepchild in the eyes of the USPS.

faceindawind · May 17, 2018

Where did you score in comparison to new group? Has PM offered you the option? CCA's in my office work everyday. Most get OT. Can you beat feet 4-6 miles daily with a satchel load?

lbpd16 · May 17, 2018

My 473E score was a 83, I have no idea about the rest of the group. I haven't heard back from the postmaster yet. So as of this moment i'm still waiting on the email for RCA orientation, which looks to be May 29. Lugging a bag around all day isn't a problem.

If I have an option i'm kinda on the fence. It seems like the RCA job would be easier and give me more free time. Would have my own vehicle with heater and AC and a stereo and be out in the country driving around. CCA I would most likely work alot more and make alot more money and not have to use and maintain my own vehicle.

Since I don't really need alot of hours or need to make alot of money I figure I can't really lose either way. However, i'm probably a CCA lean if I'm given the option.

Howah44 · May 18, 2018

Not all City routes are routes where you walk 4-6 miles, you would obviously know your area better than anyone on here.

hunchback · May 18, 2018

Is your local prison hiring?

Both jobs, RCA and prison gaurd are like being in prison, but you will have a regular schedule and benefits at the prison, and at the prison the criminals are NOT in charge

hunchback · May 19, 2018

For more info read the entre thread titled "New RCA in Training with Questions " there was a new, highly motivated RCA seeking info who ended up like so many others finding out this is no dream job.. closer to a nightmare.

We want people to take the RCA job, we really do, we need you, but we can't lie to you... that's managements job.

lbpd16 · May 20, 2018

I still have not heard from the postmaster. Tomorrow is the last day to apply for the CCA position. I do have an ecareer profile even though I have not started the RCA job yet. Should I apply anyway for the CCA job just so I have that option? And what happens with the RCA position if I apply for the CCA position?

Unrelated to the CCA question, as an RCA can I volunteer to work Amazon sundays just to get extra hours?

Thanks

D.B.Cooper · May 20, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">hunchback said 
For more info read the entre thread titled "New RCA in Training with Questions " there was a new, highly motivated RCA seeking info who ended up like so many others finding out this is no dream job.. closer to a nightmare.

We want people to take the RCA job, we really do, we need you, but we can't lie to you... that's managements job. </blockquote>
Totally agree... this should be required reading for all new RCAs... lots of good insight here... <img title="Cool" alt="Cool" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif" />

https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/forum/leave-replacements/new-rca-in-training-with-questions/

oi veh. · May 20, 2018

<blockquote class="spPostEmbedQuote">
lbpd16 said 
I still have not heard from the postmaster. Tomorrow is the last day to apply for the CCA position. I do have an ecareer profile even though I have not started the RCA job yet. Should I apply anyway for the CCA job just so I have that option? And what happens with the RCA position if I apply for the CCA position?

Unrelated to the CCA question, as an RCA can I volunteer to work Amazon sundays just to get extra hours?

Thanks

</blockquote>
It were me, I would apply for the CCA. Always good to have options.

Amazon - yes, you certainly can. Easy money, from what I hear. Just parcels and...HOURLY plus LLV.

Shafted · May 22, 2018

Apply for the cca job. I’m betting the PM isn’t getting back to you because they are more interested in you as an RCA because it works better for them. Nope, no way, no how. Apply. Doesn’t mean you have to accept in the end. Play their game. Don’t be BS’s into missing a deadline. No one in this organization is going to take care of you except you.

lbpd16 · May 25, 2018

I considered everyone's advice and read more posts and watched some videos on the internet. After doing so I decided not to apply for the CCA position. As I mentioned in my original post, money and hours are not so important (lucky me). I just need a part time job for a little spending money and relatively cheap health insurance (currently paying $453 a month for COBRA). I know I will also have the additional cost of a RHD vehicle but I think the thought of AC, heat, and a stereo will make my life much easier. The thought of walking hours/miles daily and carrying a bag or bags and a parcel tote all over town is not so appealing to me.

I have my 2-day orientation on tuesday. Its about 85 miles away so if I have read correctly I should get reimbursed for the hotel stay and I may get mileage and maybe per diem for the training days. My post office emailed me a form letter to bring to the hotel to get me a pass on the taxes.

Looking forward to it. After over 20 years as a police officer I think this will suit me well. I have taken several months off but now I'm ready to get back to work.

D.B.Cooper · May 25, 2018

I had to stay at a hotel for my RCA training way back in the day... I think I had to front all of the costs, and then later got reimbursed, after filing a travel claim... keep all of your receipts and record of your expenses...

Good luck to you... it might be an ideal job for you... I always say, the RCA job is a good job for somebody who really doesn't need a job... if you *really* need a job, then it's not so great... <img title="Cool" alt="Cool" src="https://www.ruralmailtalk.ruralinfo.net/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/sf-cool.gif" />

btdtret · May 25, 2018

lbpd16 -- Okay, you have rolled the dice and made your choice.

-- Please keep us in the loop as to your experiences as an RCA.

-- Might be helpful to someone else in making the decision of CCA or RCA.

-- Good luck.